In a cramped room with gray walls, a white bunk bed, and a grimy floor, Cain faced three guys, all between 25 and 30 years old.
"What's your name?" Cain asked.
The first inmate introduced himself, "I'm Brian. I've been accused of stealing the mana orb."
The second one chimed in, "I'm Terri, and they say I'm a troublemaker around here."
The last one said, "Name's Marios. I got accused of stealing the red orb."
"Marios, it sounds like we're in the same boat," Cain replied.
"Let me ask you something," Marios said. "You were accused because someone threw a red orb at you while you were trying to get past the mana guards, right?"
"Exactly. I was accused, but why? Do you have a similar story?" Cain pressed.
"Yeah, unfortunately, I do. It seems like the guards are just out to nail anyone they suspect of stealing the red orb," Marios explained.
Suddenly, Brian raised his hand. "Even though my accusation is different—it's not about the red orb like yours—I'm convinced that whoever stole it is part of a scheme to lock up innocent people. If you've got a red orb, you're in trouble; it's a total frame-up."
"I've just arrived, and it's clear there's a huge problem in this place: the guards are corrupt," Cain remarked.
"My dad isn't corrupt, though," Terri interjected. "Despite what's happening with the guards, my dad has always stood for what's right."
"I believe you," Cain said. "But wait! If your dad is a guard, can't we reach out to him for help?"
"To do that, I need a good reason to call him," Terri replied.
"What if we staged a fight? When the guards come to break it up, we could make a move against them and escape," Brian suggested.
"I'm on board with that," Marios agreed.
"Me too!" Terri and Cain chimed in together.
One hour later...
"I want the top bunk!" Cain shouted.
"Shut up! You're new here, so stop trying to act tough!" Terri snapped back, irritated.
"Everyone, calm down! I'm the cool one here!" Brian declared loudly.
"What a bunch of idiots!" Marios grumbled as he tried to focus on his book.
As the four of them bickered, the cell door swung open, and the guards stormed in.
"Enough noise! If you don't quiet down, you'll each be put in separate cells!" one of the guards barked.
Marios was the first to take action, swinging his book at one of the guards, who promptly fainted from the blow. The second guard, witnessing this, attempted to flee but was quickly caught by Brian, who grabbed him by the collar. After a brief struggle, Brian struck the guard on the head with his book, and he also went down.
Meanwhile, Cain snatched the guards' keys and sprinted towards the door of the call room.
They pushed open the dull gray door, and Cain shut it behind them.
"Father, we need your help!" Terri yelled.
"We need more backup!" Terri added, his voice urgent.
"Backup?" Cain asked, confusion evident in his tone. "I thought we only needed your father's help; we shouldn't need backup for that."
"I never said the backup was for us," Terri retorted. "It's for me and the other guards who need it."
"You traitor!" Brian shouted, disbelief in his voice.
"So you chose to betray us for what reason?" Cain demanded, his anger rising.
"I'm trying to make my father proud! I need to show him I'm a better son than my brother!" Terri answered, his frustration boiling over.
With determination, Cain stepped closer to Terri and said, "We don't have time for your family drama." He then delivered a powerful punch to Terri's face, knocking him out cold.
"Let's go," Cain instructed.
Together, the trio—Cain, Brian, and Marios—rushed toward the massive gate of Jail Vista.
"Step back," Cain muttered under his breath. He summoned his crimson sword and shouted, "Strength, grant me the power of destruction!" With a mighty swing, Cain slashed sideways at the gate, breaking it open.
"Let's move!" Cain urged.